The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) represented by PENR Officer Conrado A. Espejo, Jr. has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with one hundred and ninety-nine (199) people’s organization (POs) represented by their chairmen to formally commence the implementation of National Greening Program for CY 2016. The MOA signing held on March 11, 2016 at the newly renovated Capitol Training Center had been witnessed by the key local government officials of the province of Occidental Mindoro. A brief ceremony prior to the MOA signing was deemed necessary to strengthen partnership with key local government officials in order to ensure accountability of all stakeholders and duty-bearers towards the better implementation of National Greening Program in the province of Occidental Mindoro.

For this year’s NGP target of eleven thousand six hundred seventy two (11,672) hectares, seventy two (72) participating POs have been contracted to implement the program within the jurisdiction and direct supervision of CENRO San Jose, while CENRO Sablayan has tapped sixty four (64) participating POs, of which fifty (5) are members of the indigenous peoples (IPs) and fourteen (14) are non-IPs, of which four (4) are organizations belonging to women sector. In addition, the PENRO station has selected sixty three (63) participating POs to implement the NGP at selected locations within the municipalities of Mambura, Paluan, Sta. Cruz, Abra de Ilog (MAPSA).

Meanwhile, PENRO Conrado A. Espejo, Jr. posts that NGP would have to end by December of this year, but by virtue of Executive Order (E.O.) 193, it has been extended until 2028. Furthermore, he encourages the NGP partners to prove to all stakeholders that they are trustworthy enough to be called partner-stewards.

Congressional representative of the Lone District of Occidental Mindoro, and concurrent secretary-general of the Liberal Party, Hon. Josephine Ramirez-Sato has challenged the NGP partners to be brave enough and become warriors for the environment. Remarkably, she points out that present government is serious about its mandate to provide the citizenry of their basic needs. But more so, the opportunity to enhance their capacity to provide their children and their children’s children a progressive nation – a nation enjoying a sustainable resources and healthy environment.

The Governor, Hon. Mario Gene J. Mendiola, together with the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, is united in the advocacy for a sustainable management of the country’s natural resources and a healthier environment.